Publications

Consolidated schedule of approved hospitals (Ministerial Order 10/2011)

Description

This ministerial order 10/2011 presents an updated consolidated listing of approved hospitals.

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Photodynamic therapy for skin cancer & pre-cancerous skin conditions : final STE report

Description

Presents a systematic review of the evidence on photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions (i.e. actinic keratosis), and non-melanoma skin cancers. The... More ≫

Description

Presents a systematic review of the evidence on photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions (i.e. actinic keratosis), and non-melanoma skin cancers. The objectives of the review were to determine the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and budget impact of PDT in comparison to other treatments for these conditions; to identify particular sub-groups of patients who might benefit most from PDT; and to summarize current criteria for the use of PDT and alternative treatments for these skin conditions.

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Provincial organization registry data standard. Version 1.0

Description

2011 Data Standard definition for the collection of the Alberta Provincial Organization Registry (POR) data elements in Alberta. An organization is defined as a recognized entity, which purses... More ≫

Description

2011 Data Standard definition for the collection of the Alberta Provincial Organization Registry (POR) data elements in Alberta. An organization is defined as a recognized entity, which purses collective goals that has interactions of interest to the health system in Alberta.

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External beam radiation therapy access policy

Description

The Minister of Health directs Alberta Health Services to implement and comply with the external beam radiation therapy access policy.

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An assessment of sleep disordered breathing diagnosis using Level I versus Level III sleep studies : final report

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and... More ≫

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and specific conditions that fall within this disorder.

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STE report : transarterial radioembolization for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia : final STE report

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically... More ≫

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically funded health service in Alberta.

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Vitamin D testing : rapid literature review

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature... More ≫

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature review were: to outline the specific indications for vitamin D testing as reflected in the literature; to identify the number and type of studies for each indication; to review the abstracts of vitamin D randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses; and to review the Health Technology Assessment reports available.

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Point-of-care testing for oral anticoagulant management with portable prothrombin time systems

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international... More ≫

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international normalized ratio (INR) is laboratory testing of blood obtained by venepuncture. However, patients may find testing to be time consuming and inconvenient. With the development of portable coagulometers it is now possible to measure INR outside the laboratory setting. This review looks at the effectiveness of patient self-management (PSM), patient self-testing (PST) and point-of-care testing (POCT) by health care practitioners using portable coagulometers, compared to conventional laboratory testing.

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A foundation for Alberta's health system : report of the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health

Description

The Minister's Advisory Committee on Health was established in September 2009 to provide input on the legislative reforms necessary to update health legislation in Alberta. The Minister of Health... More ≫

Description

The Minister's Advisory Committee on Health was established in September 2009 to provide input on the legislative reforms necessary to update health legislation in Alberta. The Minister of Health and Wellness asked the Committee to establish a new legislative framework that would enable Alberta's heath system to: remove barriers to accessing health care, promote wellness, promote ambulatory and community-based care, enable the public health system to respond to emerging issues on a timely basis, encourage evidence-informed innovation, and establish clear lines of accountability. This report of the Committee presents a new focus and architecture for health care legislation in Alberta that will reframe the way Albertans, health policy makers and the health system view health and health care in the years ahead. The new legislation would move the system from an overemphasis on the needs of institutions and providers to one that better recognizes and responds to people and families...

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Comparison of Alberta population counts between the AHCIP registry and the 2006 Census

Description

Two main data sources for population counts of Alberta are the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) Registry and the Census of Canada (Census). The collection and reporting methods used by... More ≫

Description

Two main data sources for population counts of Alberta are the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) Registry and the Census of Canada (Census). The collection and reporting methods used by these two counts differ greatly, and it is important that these methods are fully understood to help in determining which population estimate is appropriate for use in a particular circumstance. Comparison of the data shows that at the provincial level, the total population for the AHCIP Registry and the 2006 Census are very similar. However, variations are much more distinct when looking at variations in difference by age, sex and geographic area. Generally, the smaller the population of a particular category, the greater the difference.

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